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Convert Lifeguard to Safeguard (Spring Removal)

five

five

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 16, 2019
Messages
459
On the models other than safeguard that have springs: grigri, lifeguard, beal birdie - anyone know if you can remove the spring yourself and make them functionally like the safeguard?

Are there any other models that I can be on the lookout for? I think that covers the lowend models, I know there are a few more models that are even more expensive.
 
I thought about trying it on my Lifeguard but a Safeguard went on sale and I bought that instead.
 
Personally I don't like to modify something that is responsible for my safety 20' up unless the manufacturer specifically says so. How much are you really spending more? I would sell what you own and then buy what you want.
 
I too have a Lifeguard I'd like to convert. I emailed Mad Rock and got this response just now.

"You would need to grind off the center rivet to be able to access and remove the spring. Afterwards you would need the correct riveting machine to put it back together to correct specs. We do not recommend doing this to the device."

I'll be leaving my as is.
 
Thanks for taking the time to do that. And that is where I am at as well.

I ended up getting a safeguard and won't be modifying the lifeguard.
 
Rico said:
I too have a Lifeguard I'd like to convert. I emailed Mad Rock and got this response just now.

"You would need to grind off the center rivet to be able to access and remove the spring. Afterwards you would need the correct riveting machine to put it back together to correct specs. We do not recommend doing this to the device."

I'll be leaving my as is.
Click to expand...
Posts like this need a double thumbs up
 
What can't be done is to buy a safeguard at the moment,, but one can buy a lifeguard. The story is the internal spring is the difference. I have a machine shop, nothing made with metal is a "can't be done" situation, not economical perhaps. I would have have a more compelling answer to be convinced.
 
Well I have the means to do it, just looking to see if anyone else had done it. I am not advocating you 3D print up a piece and rig it, if I fixed it, I'd climb with it. My grigri gets me down just fine, but all people talk about is madrock.
 
I have machine shop tools myself, @RegularJoe . I'm not sure it's worth the effort to modify it however. If you cannot find elsewhere, madrock.ca has them in stock. You need to call/email them to get them to ship to the US (their web ordering system doesn't allow shipping to the US). Ends up being $132USD and they 2-day air it to you for that price. Or you could just use a Ropeman 1 and a figure-8 descender (like $15). Otherwise it sounds like Madrock responded with some instructions on grinding the rivet off to remove the spring.
 
Thanks Jake, I realize the time it takes wouldn't be that economical, just exploring options. I will finish the season with my grigri but I don't care for the way it unloads if you take the weight off of it.

Madrock.ca website said they don't ship to the US, only Canada. I will try it again later. I see the lifeguard retails for around $90 but nobody has safeguards from my searching for them. I see some on ebay the buy it now prices start around $180, as high as$250 or more. Nothing like gouging a fellow hunter.
 
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RegularJoe said:
Thanks Jake, I realize the time it takes wouldn't be that economical, just exploring options. I will finish the season with my grigri but I don't care for the way it unloads if you take the weight off of it.

Madrock.ca website said they don't ship to the US, only Canada. I will try it again later. I see the lifeguard retails for around $90 but nobody has them. I see some on ebay the buy it now prices start around $180, as high as$250 or more. Nothing like gouging a fellow hunter.
Click to expand...
Capitalism baby
 
I will let one of mine go for $350 now that Im out the game. Ships tomorrow


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